The value and appeal of homes and other buildings go far beyond basic structural features and size. The layout and style of interior spaces, such as room color, flooring, furniture and artwork, shape the functionality and aesthetics. Interior designers plan indoor spaces to make them safe, functional and attractive. Interior designers typically have bachelor’s degrees and training in drawing and computer-aided design.

Salary Range

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that interior designers earned $52,810 on average in May 2011. Workers in the occupation earned an average wage of $25.39 an hour. The top 10 percent of workers made more than $86,430 a year, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $25,720. Half of all interior designers had annual incomes between $35,320 and $65,960.

Top States

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the District of Columbia was the highest-paying state for interior designers in May 2011 and workers in the area made $76,020 a year on average. Designers in Connecticut earned $67,390 on average, workers in New York made $65,540 and workers in Rhode Island earned $62,520. California was the largest employer of interior designers and workers in the state made $58,860 a year on average.

Top Industries

Interior designers work in several industries related to building design and income varies from one industry to another. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says designers providing specialized design services earned $52,870 a year on average, while workers providing architectural and engineering design services made $57,950 on average. Interior designers employed by furniture stores made $46,290 on average, workers employed by building material dealers and suppliers made $46,710 and workers at home furnishing stores made $42,060 on average.

Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of interior designers to increase 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is 5 percentage points faster than the national average. Demand for interior design is linked to overall economic conditions; consumers and businesses are likely to spend less money remodeling interior spaces when money is tight. Job prospects are likely to be best for workers in high-income areas where homeowners have excess income to renovate properties.